Ordinary to Ultra Brendon Boren

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Anthony has always been into fitness. He played sports growing up, he loves the gym, loves hiking, and he really likes Jiu-Jitsu! He did some running here and there, but nothing that ever stuck… until recently. All it took to push Anthony over the edge was his friend Jake who asked “Hey, wanna run a marathon with me?” After running that marathon and doing some intense hikes in the Andes, Anthony decided to do some trail running. He realized he could go pretty far and decided he could probably run an ultramarathon. The rest is history. Listen to today’s episode to hear about Anthony’s first marathon, his adventures in the Andes, his ultramarathon training, and the story of Anthony’s first 50k ultramarathon.Other topics include Anthony working as administrator of his PT office, running the Disney Marathon in Florida, adjusting training due to injury and illness, mental resiliance during marathons and ultramarathons, backpacking through the Cordillera Blanca and almost dying, what it feels like to cross the finish line, gear for a rainy ultramarathon, fueling during a 50k ultramarathon, the difference between marathon and ultramarathon community/vibes, Anthony’s upcoming ultra running goals (100-miler).
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Getting to Know Anthony02:53 Training for the Marathon and the Disney Marathon Experience08:03 Injuries, Setbacks, and the Emotional Toll12:57 Crossing the Finish Line and the Aftermath22:59 Preparing for the Ultra Marathon45:07 Race Preparation and Training48:34 Race Day: Gloomy Weather and Determination49:41 Gear and Fueling50:05 Pushing Through and Finishing the Race52:23 Pushing Through and Finding Motivation55:06 Fueling and Hydration Strategies01:03:07 Race Results and Future Goals

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Diarra is and has always been a sporty dude. Diarra grew up running short-distance track, basketball, volleyball… pretty much everything but soccer and wrestling! And as he progressed into his early adulthood he kept playing basketball with his buddies, until the fateful day he came down from a rebound and ruptured his achilles tendon. Devastated, Diarra wondered if he’d ever be able to compete athletically again. After Diarra had recovered from this injury, his boss invited him to participate in a triathlon rather than go back to basketball. Diarra agreed and did his first triathlon, which lead him to discover the addictive and joyous world of trail running. Tune in today to hear about Diarra’s first 50k and 50-mile ultramarathons in southern Utah and the lessons he’s learned on the way. 
Other topics include transitioning from team sports to individual endurance sports, progressing from half-marathons to ultramarathons, running in southern Utah, the Triple Crown of Moab, how to run in sand and slick-rock, dealing with cramping during a race, pushing through mental and physical exhaustion, training for ultramarathons, proper electrolyte and food balance during ultramarathons, taking things slowly to avoid burnout and injuries, and more. 
Follow Diarra on Strava and Instagram
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:57 Moving to Colorado and Embracing the Trails
06:00 Triathlons and Trail Races
11:00 Overcoming Injuries and Challenges
22:10 Training for a 50K Race
28:05 Experiencing Cramping and Challenges
38:01 A Sense of Accomplishment and New Goals
41:07 Challenges of Different Terrains
43:30 Recovery and Training Between Races
44:45 Mental and Physical Struggles During Ultra Marathons
47:18 Achieving the Triple Crown of Moab
53:04 Post-Triple Crown Races and Lessons Learned
59:31 Avoiding Burnout and Finding Balance
01:03:14 Advice for Beginners
01:05:23 Promoting Diversity in Trail Running

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Why do we sign up for ultramarathons? Well, the actually reason is rarely linear and involves several little knudges. Eric’s first knudge was when he heard the story of a guy at work that had run the Leadville 100. He was amazed that someone could do something so seemingly impossible. Then he watched a Netflix documentary of a lady eating cheeseburgers and a fanny pack full of bacon to fuel during an FKT (fastest known time). That got Eric running. Then the last straw. Eric was walking towards the end of his first marathon and a guy passing him said “If you like walking so much, you should do an ultramarathon.” Eric took the challenge, and signed up for is first ultramarathon. Listen to today’s episode to hear in Eric’s own words how he got into running, the story of his first 50k ultramarathon, AND the story of Eric’s first 100 mile ultramarathon that he accomplished in the same year!
Other topics include running to lose weight, training for an ultramarathon, strength training for ultramarathons, turning your commute into training, being prepared with the right gear, the power of coaches, the power of the mind during an ultramarathon, ultramarathons as a metaphor for life, and much more.

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You graduate school, get a job, get married, start a family, and then... then what? For the last 10 years Grant lived a largely cookie-cutter life: wake up, go to work, come home, grab a beer and watch TV. But this last year he and his wife decided they wanted something more, and being active was a part of that. Grant and his wife had been hitting the gym for a bit when a buddy of his reached out. He knew that Grant lived to earn belt buckles during his rodeo days. Well, this buddy was a new ultra runner and told Grant he could continue to ear belt buckles by running ultramarathons! Grant was hooked before he even ran a mile. Listen to today's episode to hear how Grant went from running 0 miles to running his first 50k, 50-miler, and attempted his first 100-mile ultramarathon; all within 1 year. 
Other topics include cross-training at the gym, creating your own community 50k ultramarathon, running your first 50k ultramarathon, running your first 50-mile ultramarathon, trail running in the Appalachian Mountains, ultramarathon nutrition and hydration, the mental and physical challenges of running a 100-mile ultramarathon, dealing with a DNF, finding joy in the journey of running, settings goals to provide purpose and motivation, and dealing with tendonitis.
Check out Grant's timed race in Enoree, SC called "Long Night in Lanford."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background07:50 Starting the Running Journey13:02 Progression and Training16:50 Organizing a 50K Race19:49 The Lookout Mountain 50 Experience29:56 Race Day: Breakfast, Aid Stations, and Unexpected Challenges40:03 The Sweet Taste of Accomplishment at the Finish Line42:48 The Importance of Proper Race Preparation and Nutrition53:26 Adapting to Discrepancies in Race Distance54:12 Prioritizing Long-Term Health: Withdrawing from a Race due to Injury54:26 Introduction to Grant Powers and his experience with ultra running55:40 The mental and physical challenges of ultra running58:28 The difference between road running and trail running01:01:04 The importance of nutrition and pacing in ultra races01:12:21 Upcoming races and future goals in ultra running01:24:50 Outro

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Gillian is a fantastic human being, and... an adrenaline junky. For years she enjoyed the thrill of skydiving and base jumping all over the United States and beyond. And then, she broke her legs. An unlucky and improbable space of "dead air" left Gillian plummeting towards the ground. She broke her legs and was told she wouldn't run again. Tune in today to hear the story in her words and how she ultimately overcame her injuries, got into running, and recently ran her first 50k ultramarathon. 
Other topics include running as crosstraining for extreme sports, setting exciting and ambitious goals, running shoes and taking care of your feet for ultramarathon running, listening to audiobooks for entertainment while running, running as meditation, balancing running with work and being a mom, challenges of dating as an ultra runner, nutrition and training for an ultramarathon, and taking strategic breaks during an ultramarathon.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background03:22 Getting into Running08:48 Overcoming Injury and Running Milestones21:36 Preparing for a 50-Miler29:36 Gear and Foot Care34:08 Shoe Selection and Ankle Stability35:28 The Benefits of Listening to Books on Tape While Running37:10 Running as an Escape and a Form of Meditation38:19 Finding Joy in Running and Overcoming Initial Dislike40:13 Running as a Moving Meditation43:28 Finding Time for Running as a Busy Parent45:09 Balancing Running and Work Responsibilities46:27 The Challenges of Dating as a Runner48:01 The Importance of Individual Running Styles and Preferences52:18 Training for Ultra Races and Pushing Physical Limits56:07 Planning Nutrition and Hydration for Long-Distance Races01:00:33 The Importance of Changing Socks and Dealing with Bathroom Breaks01:03:47 Dreaming of Running the Bear 100 and Personal Running Adventures
 

Ultra running is NOT easy, and that's part of why it's so rewarding. Justin was chasing his first 50k ultramarathon to see how far he could go, but he wasn't quite prepared for the brutal conditions he encountered. Between lengthy climbs, 6+ inches of snow, and underprepared nutrition, he ended up pulling from his first 50k ultramarathon. But that's not the end of Justin's story. Listen to today's episode to hear about how Justin got into running, the story of his 50k DNF, but then ultimately his redemption when he runs his own self-supported 50k ultramarathon. 
Other topics include running with a stroller, working in running with a traveling job, proper and improper nutrition for a 50k ultramarathon, training for a 50k, running a self-supported 50k, and the mental toughness needed to finish.
Follow Justin Bartram on TikToc or Strava.
Join our Facebook & Strava group of new and experienced ultra runners
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background01:20 Running while Traveling04:22 Getting into Running06:16 Running with Family07:24 Running Schedule and Work09:07 Inspiration from Other Runners10:39 50k Ultramarathon DNF20:00 Reflecting on the Experience21:01 Journey to the 50K22:16 Self-Supported 50K23:36 Mental Toughness in Ultras25:17 Training for the 50K29:09 Feeling Accomplished31:19 Real Conversations in the Trail Running Community34:17 Considering a 50-Miler39:25 Triathlon Considerations43:01 Lessons from a DNF44:08 Wrapping Up